Embracing Destiny Read online

  “His name is Finn.”

  Chapter Three

  Outside the protection of the tower, I surveyed the horde partying below the balcony as Ryder held me tightly against his body. He hadn’t let me go since the moment I’d stepped outside, as if he feared I would vanish. He could sense my anxiety and the anger that hummed through me with the helplessness I’d known in that room. I never wanted to feel that powerless again so long as I lived.

  I wanted to argue his stupid policy and evacuation plan, and yet I understood it now more than before. If Icelyn had been in labor while we were under attack and the mages got inside these walls, we’d have lost all three of them. I hated that his plan made sense. Admitting it to this man was like eating crow.

  It didn’t change the fact that Ryder had put me in the tower, and I’d been blind to what was happening with him and his men. My emotions had risen, and when the surrounding women had looked for me to lead them, I had nothing to give. War, I could handle.

  Childbirth?

  Apparently, that wasn’t my strong suit. Luckily, Eliran had delivered Fiona, Icelyn’s second babe, without any problems.

  I experienced a sense of desperation in that tower, and it burned. I hadn’t been able to call to Ryder, and that had terrified me in a way I couldn’t express. The wind howled in the distance, and I watched as the trees swayed and cowered against it while flames from fires below danced to its seductive force.

  “Spit it out, Synthia,” Ryder murmured huskily, rubbing the shell of my ear with his nose. His hands held me firmly, calming the storm of emotions that continued to rage inside of me.

  “You put me in a fucking tower like I’m some damsel in distress.” He kissed my neck, pushing his fingers through my hair to expose more of it to his hungry mouth.

  “No, I did not. I put the biggest, most powerful warrior in my arsenal between our enemies and our kids. I placed you there because I know no one else will protect our children as well as their mother. I didn’t put my sweet, impish pet into the tower to shield her. I put her there to safeguard the ones that needed it the most.”

  I exhaled slowly, the truth of his words calming the storm inside of me. He pushed my body against the railing, and my hands tightened around it. His warm mouth kissed along my bare shoulder, sending a wave of butterflies dancing through my belly. Soft, velvety lips danced over my flesh while men and women moved about below, unaware of our presence as they celebrated their victory.

  Ryder’s boots nudged my feet apart until my legs spread wide enough apart for him to gain access to the part of me that always yearned for his touch. He chuckled darkly as his hands slipped up the back of my thighs, slowly trailing his fingertips along my skin, causing goosebumps to appear all over my body. At the curve of my ass, he paused, pushing his fingers against my clenching sex.

  “Ryder, what are you doing?” I stared down at the tents and campfires that stretched farther than the eye could see along the walls of the fortress. Music played loudly, and cries of victory continued as warriors drank and brawled playfully below, unaware their king and queen were watching them.

  “I’m about to fuck the Goddess of the Fae in the presence of the entire horde, so they know she belongs to me. You’re mine and only mine, woman.” His hands lifted the skirt of my dress, bunching it up over my hips and forcing me to lean over the railing precariously, my ass lifting to his touch with violent need.

  “Someone will see us.”

  “That’s the fucking point. I’m going to fuck the Queen of the Horde while they celebrate the slaughtering of mages. You’re my fucking victory trophy, woman,” he laughed darkly, ripping the panties from my body as I gasped.

  Ryder’s fingers pushed through my wet folds, and he growled hungrily against my ear. He stepped back, going down on one knee as he lowered his head. Slick fingers entered me again, and his other hand opened my flesh as he began licking and flicking my clit with his tongue until a soft moan exploded from my lips.

  “Quiet, Syn. Do not make a fucking sound, or I’ll spread your legs and stretch your tight pussy painfully as I fuck you. I won’t stop until you’re screaming my name. Then every person inside this kingdom will know exactly how you scream for your king as he destroys his pretty queen’s tight cunt. On second thought, fucking scream, because I like the idea of them hearing how you sound as I destroy you, woman,” he warned in a guttural tone. “I have ten minutes before I have to be inside the war room, so let’s make every one of them count.”

  “Then stand up and fuck your queen, My King,” I demanded.

  “My queen is a greedy little girl who enjoys my mouth on her needy pussy, and I’m a greedy king who likes to eat that pussy and watch her squirm for me. Now stop fighting me and come so I can taste you on my tongue while I plan for war.”

  His fingers pushed into my body again while his tongue ran around them. I fought the whimper that built in my throat as he lapped greedily between my legs. Moving his fingers faster, I gripped the bars tightly, leaning over them, giving him more access. Ryder chuckled, uncaring that people below could see my naked breasts or body at any moment while he ravaged my pussy. His laughter vibrated against my flesh, and my lips trembled in response.

  His tongue flicked and lapped gluttonously against my clit while his fingers went deeper into my core. My body clenched against them, needing more as he moved them slowly. The deep rumble of his growl shuddered through me while he stoked the fire building within to a raging inferno. The orgasm grew while he tortured me. Another digit stretched inside me, and I pushed against it, wanting him deeper in my wet flesh.

  Ryder’s mouth eased away, and he stood behind me, pulling my body against his. I heard the buttons of his pants and listened as he slid them down, kicking them off as his hands pulled my hips back against him. Fingers danced down my stomach, finding my thigh and lifting it to the railing, exposing even more of me than before so that any onlookers below could see.

  “This pussy is drenched, you dirty girl. You like the idea of being caught fucking me?”

  “Ryder, there’s nothing you’ve done to me I didn’t like or want. There’s also nothing hotter than getting fucked by my king. Now fuck me,” I hissed, rubbing myself against his fingers.

  I was needy; my body buzzed with adrenaline as he teased playfully against my opening, knowingly driving me to a crazed state of need. When he finally pushed his cock into me, I cried out, and he chuckled, running his nose over the shell of my ear.

  “I warned you, didn’t I?”

  “I’m game, fuck it. Just do it now, please. I need you, Ryder,” I whimpered as he laughed, kissing my neck. He moved my leg to the ground, nipping against my shoulder.

  “Hold on to the railing, and try not to scream too loudly, at least not yet. I’d hate to kill my army because they watched my pretty queen coming for me.”

  “You wanted this, Fairy.”

  “For them to hear you, not see what belongs to me.”

  One hand snaked around me, pinching a nipple before it slipped over my mouth as he entered me again, hard and fast, smothering the scream that tore from my throat as he laughed darkly. My eyes moved to the scene below us. People celebrated war, and here we were, fucking beneath the stars.

  “You’re so tight, Pet. You feel me against your womb, right where I fucking belong?” he asked, withdrawing to the tip, then lunging forward, causing a scream to escape, only to be smothered again by his hand.

  Ryder chuckled darkly, releasing my mouth and turning me around before reaching down and lifting me. Parting my legs with his hands, he hoisted my body up to his as I held tightly to the railing, exposed to the world.

  Anyone could look up to the balcony and see him taking me. It terrified me, and yet it was highly erotic. “Watch the sky,” he ordered, increasing his speed as he pounded into my naked pussy with no mercy. I exploded wit
hout warning, watching lightning crash against the mountains in the distance. The sky lit up beautiful colors that would shame the aurora borealis as the orgasm continued to vibrate through my body.

  The sky turned violet, blue, and red while the men and women below noted the changes. “That’s what happens when I fuck the Goddess of the Fae, and she comes with her pussy stretched around my cock. You come apart for me, and the entire world sees it while you stare into my eyes, caring only for the galaxies within them.”

  “Harder,” I demanded, enjoying his deep, rumbling growl of approval. Setting me down, he turned me around and bent me over the railing again before he let loose. His cock grew painfully large, stretching my body while he fucked me. I moaned loudly, uncaring who heard or saw us.

  “Good girl,” he growled huskily.

  My hands tightened against the railing as another orgasm tore through me while the storm intensified around us. “Ryder!” He tensed behind me, jerking as he came within me. I exploded again without warning, and the entire sky filled with shooting stars, continually turning a mixture of vibrant colors. “Good gods.”

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Ryder asked, and then someone below whistled, and he peered over my shoulder, pulling me to the floor of the balcony with him as he laughed silently.

  “Someone saw us,” I whispered.

  “They did.” Ryder laughed harder. “I should go kill them.”

  “Ryder!”

  He let loose, laughing until it became contagious as I laughed as I lay above him, naked. I stared down at him, his smile brightening as his eyes glowed with happiness. I leaned over, kissing him softly until his hands lifted, holding the back of my head as he devoured my mouth. Then, he slowly stood, carrying me into our bedroom. On the bed, he pulled me close, holding me in his arms and kissing my forehead.

  “I love you, Pet,” he murmured, tightening his hold on me. “I didn’t put you in that tower to shield you. I did it to protect everyone else, allowing the men to focus on the battle at hand. Having you there makes the women and children feel safe. It also ensures that my men stay focused on their duties, knowing that their families are protected from harm while we handle everything outside the stronghold. I need their heads in this war, and because of you, Sinjinn has a son.”

  “I almost lost that baby today,” I admitted, tracing my fingers over his shoulder, studying him carefully. “I want to bring in more doctors.”

  “I told you Eliran could handle it,” he argued, and I adjusted in his hold. Standing up slowly, I glamoured on a sheer, ice-blue nightgown with a long, flowing skirt and V-line neck that stretched across my cleavage.

  “I know, but I need reassurance that if something happens outside of the tower, you have our best doctor with you. Eliran can’t be in two places at once. Olivia is overdue, and Ciara can have her babe any day now. I didn’t know what to do, and it terrified me. There was no one inside that room that had any idea how to deliver a child.”

  “Fine,” he stated.

  “I was terrified that I would kill the babes or Icelyn. Why are you arguing this? Wait, did you just agree with me?” I paused, studying his face.

  “I did,” Ryder chuckled with a shrug. “You shouldn’t be forced into that situation. I know it frightened you because I sensed it here,” he said, pointing at his heart. “Faery felt it and trembled. Your emotions are tied to the world now. When I fuck you, it is magical. When you cry, it rains. When you’re afraid, the entire world holds its breath until you release that fear, and then it breathes again with you. I’d hate to know what happens when you are angry.”

  I laughed nervously and rolled my eyes. “I’d probably burn down the forest, or worse.”

  “Mmm, you set fire to my soul, woman. I don’t like outsiders coming to our home, but I understand your concern, and I’ll allow it for you.”

  “What’s the catch?” I studied him closely as I ran my hand over the muscles of his chest.

  “I get that needy pussy whenever I want it. And if these new doctors betray us, I will rip their spines out through their mouths and fuck you on their corpses.”

  “Mmm. Is it bad that I hope they betray us?” I asked innocently, continuing my leisurely perusal of his body as my hand dipped low to stroke his cock once before smiling at him.

  “Naughty little thing, aren’t you?” he countered. “I have it on good authority that the entire horde trembles at the mention of your name.”

  “Good, it was my intention when I ripped their self-appointed leaders’ throats out,” I said, gripping his cock in my hand, beginning to stroke him slowly. “You taught me that you control the horde by fear, so let them fear me. The first moment you were gone, your people planned to replace you. They wanted to rape me on your throne.” My grip tightened as my hand began to move faster. “I showed them that it could not be done. No one fucks me except my king, and Ryder, you are my fucking Fairy King.”

  “I’m glad you understand that,” he whispered huskily. “Now, ride my cock, Queen of the Horde. I find I cannot get enough of you lately, especially when you glow while I fuck you, my delicate, dainty little damsel.”

  “I’ve got your delicate right here, Fairy.” Squeezing his cock for emphasis, I licked the tip and sat up. Removing my nightgown, I tossed it aside as he leaned back against the bed, crossing his arms behind his head. “And for the record, I don’t glow when you fuck me.”

  “You do, and it’s the most beautiful thing in the world, Synthia.”

  Chapter Four

  Ristan walked up and down the main hall continuously. He was on edge, and I couldn’t figure out how to ease the turbulence within him. Olivia wasn’t just overdue; she was two months past her due date. By human standards, she was in her eleventh month of pregnancy. Nothing we did could lessen her pain or stopped the soon-to-be new father from making sure everyone knew his child wasn’t coming out.

  To say it frustrated Ristan would be the understatement of the century. The man paced endlessly day-in and day-out, and if you interrupted him, you got to hear his opinion of Olivia’s selfish womb, preventing that little dangle baby from escaping.

  “This is insane, right? It makes little sense. Demons birth their children similar to the fae, and yet she isn’t even having contractions. She’s craving hearts, gulping them down like some fucking delicacy, and she hasn’t given birth to my daughter yet.”

  “Who says it is a girl?” I asked, crossing my arms and eyeing him curiously.

  “I do,” he countered, stopping mid-pace, staring at me like I’d grown a second head with my question. “I want a daughter; therefore, I am having one.”

  “Oh, is that how it works? I assumed you created a babe, and whatever the gods gifted would be born.” Turning, I smiled and faced Ryder. “I’d like to order another daughter. Please tell your sperm that unless it’s female in gender, it ain’t getting into my womb.”

  Ristan stared at me before slowly turning his silver gaze to Ryder, snorting loudly. “I want a girl,” he shrugged his broad shoulders. “I will love my child no matter what it is, understandably, but I’d prefer a daughter.”

  “You mean if the child has a penis, you’ll still take him?” I questioned, smoothing the smile behind my hand. Both sets of eyes turned to stare at me. “If it is a boy, it will have a penis.”

  “Obviously,” Ristan harrumphed as he paced to the other side of the room, dismissing me.

  “Hey, who knows how long it takes to bake a dangle? I mean, we know next to nothing about the breed or child you two created, or if it is actually overdue.”

  Rubbing the back of his neck, Ristan turned and his gaze bounced between Ryder to me, moving his hands animatedly as he spoke. “Have you seen Olivia lately? She’s miserable. Not to mention that we have not had sex in weeks!”

  “So what’s the actual problem? That you are not
getting any sex or that you’re worried about the babe being overcooked? Eliran said everything looked great, and even though he can’t see the child perfectly, he knows it is healthy.”

  “Something isn’t right, I can feel it,” he said, pushing his fingers through his hair before he resumed pacing.

  “Demon, we’ve asked everyone. No one knows how long it takes when an angel and a demon of your breed—mixed with fae, at that—comes together to make a person. No, I take that back,” I said, trying to ease some of Ristan’s tension. “There was that one guy who said it took nine hours on high, and to add rosemary before consuming it.” The narrowing of his eyes told me that he didn’t appreciate my joke. “That’s beside the point. It will be okay. Everything will work out as it is supposed to in the end. Eliran has his people looking into it, and Olivia’s good. She is strong, and while she might not want sex, it may induce labor. Put on your thinking cap and get those demon moves into gear.”

  “It hurts her!” he snapped, and my eyes narrowed on him. “I’m sorry, Flower. It’s fucking killing me. What happens if we’re not meant to breed? What happens if our child dies?”

  “You can’t think like that. Think about it this way. Danu fixed you to create this life. Your child is supposed to live.”

  “That’s not reassuring. Danu fucked me over every way she could before the bitch bailed and left me to deal with what she did.”

  “Ristan,” Ryder warned.

  “It is okay, Ryder, let him speak.”

  “I’m scared,” Ristan admitted.

  “I’m aware you’re scared, we all are.” I took Ristan’s hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “I don’t believe Danu gave you a child to take it away, demon. I know you two had a chaotic past, and you don’t want to share how fucked up it was, which is fine. I get that it’s your business, but she was trying to fix things in the end. I don’t think her last days were filled with shit she wanted to mess up. She gave her life for me, and she fixed you so you could create life.” Dropping his hand, I turned to look at Ryder, then back to Ristan. “I’ll check at the guild to see if there’s anything in the libraries or archives that includes the gestation period of children born of demons or angels. All the details on Olivia’s mother are there also; I’ll pull it too. Alden may have more information.”